[xBillTheCat]

Hi all,

My name is Bill. I'm recently 37 and live near Tampa, Florida. I'm going for a test drive of a new '09 xB in the morning at Courtesy Scion in East Tampa, FL. I currently drive a 2005 MINI Cooper S, which I dearly love, but is out of warranty (73k miles) & heavy on performance mods. Since I am still making payments, the thought of having to start replacing major components has me stressing a bit. (If/when I buy the xB, I see an extended warranty in my future.)

Besides all that, I also get the new car itch every 2-3 years. That's actually an improvement over 10-15 years ago, when I was buying a new car nearly every year. Honestly, if I had bought an extended warranty from the MINI dealer back in '05, I'd probably stand pat right now.

I nearly bought a new '08 VW GTI last week, and then I got an insurance quote on it. It was 70% more per year than my MCS, and I just couldn't justify that. For the xB, I got a quote ahead of time, and it's only about 10% more, which seems reasonable.

I wasn't too interested in the first gen xB, but I was on a 3k mile road trip at the end of August and saw several of the 2nd gen models on the highway. Even though the basic shape is the same, the cosmetics seem a little more beefy. There's something furture/retro about the bulky, boxy, yet smooth-edged design that I like. The short windows remind me of a lot of the old 1930's chop-top sedans you see in classic car shows & ZZ Top videos.

I know it won't hold up to my MCS for power or handling, but I suspect it will do just fine. And if I feel the need for more power or better handling in the future, there's always the aftermarket, I suppose.

I fully expected any Scion community to be full of "Fast & Furious" teenagers, but the "age" thread on this forum sure proved me wrong. Glad to see there is such a diverse group here! (Disclaimer: I owned a fully built 1990 Supra Turbo that ran 20+ lbs of boost & nearly 500bhp, so I mean no disrespect when I talk about "Fast & Furious" teens... I'm just not one of them any more)

I'd be curious to hear from 2nd gen xB owners what their most noticeable likes & dislikes are. Also, I like to do my own maintenance (oil changes, brakes, etc.) so I would be curious to know if Toyota has made any of the common maintenance tasks a PITA by overengineering, etc.

Over the coming days & weeks, I'll be following things here to find out how the Scion/xB community handles itself. I have been extremely active in my local, statewide, and even national MINI clubs for the past 6 years (2nd MINI, and I also owned a classic 1973 Mini for a while). I'd love to help organize some local & maybe even regional events & activities as the community grows. But then, I am getting ahead of myself. Test drive tomorrow, then decide if I move forward.

Cheers all!

Bill

 

[xBillTheCat]

Continuing to do my homework on the xB, and I have a specific question...

I have read that the lack of a telesoping steering column disappoints. And I would agree. I'm not that tall (5'7"), but I like my legs extended in front of me & often adjust the seat as though I were 6 feet tall. Looking at interior pics, it appears that the gear shift might be a tad bit far forward. I always get manual gearbox, so I can imagine that it might be a bit of a reach. Hoping that's just a matter of distorted perspective & photogs fisheye lenses, etc.

Thoughts from 5-speed owners?

 

[xBillTheCat]

VERY much appreciating the feedback, everyone. Domo arigato!!!

TartanJack- I used to drive a '90 Miata, so I can definitely appreciate that car. In fact, I was considering buying an NA Miata outright & then putting the MCS on the market, but I decided I really want my primary driver to be under warranty for a while. I'd still like to get a MIata as an autocross demon.

From what eviljack said, I'm expecting something a little less extreme than the shifter position in an MR2. The MR2 shifter felt like it was at shoulder height. But even that wasn't too bad getting used to. As long as I'm not constantly leaning forward to reach the shifter, I'll be OK.

Waverider- not a monkey humping a dogs leg... in its full size, you would see that as a baby in a dingo's belly. As in "Dingos ate my baby!"

Regarding comments by "scion" about the clutch & shifter, all the Toyotas I have owned in the past have had exceptionally easy & crisp shifters. Certainly hoping they don't let me down now, after all these years. I should know in about 6 more hours. I'll report back with my test drive impressions.

 

[xBillTheCat]

OK, so I was satisfied with the car enough to go ahead & get one ordered. The ride quality is very smooth, but a little soft, so I'll probably ask Santa for some stiffer springs & maybe a rear sway bar. I can tell I will have to re-learn to downshift when passing on the highway, but that's OK. Overall, I liked it quite a lot. The shifter position is not nearly as far forward as the online pics made me fear it might be, and I have no qualms with the height. I think I may be one of those folks who wishes the steering wheel would telescope a bit, but It's not too far off my ideal distance from where I had the seat positioned.

Ordered:

'09 xB
Blackberry Crush
Manual transmission
Premium Audio w/ RCA outs
Interior Lighting package
Rear Spoiler
Keyless/Security upgrade
Carpeted floor & cargo mats
7 year/100,000 bumper to bumper warranty extension
Xzilon paint & fabric protection w/ 5 year warranty against paint/fabric damage (Down here in Florida we get these nasty insects called "love bugs" whose guts blanket our cars for a month or so twice a year. And if you don't wash them off darned near daily, your front bumper starts to look like the lunar surface.)

Arrival is tentative for 9/22. Salesman said all options are either installed at port or at dealer, so they intercepted one that's already in port at Jacksonville & placed an order to reconfigure it. Highly likely that I will have a set of wheels & tires ether in my garage or en route from Tire Rack by then. I think I'll also add the illuminated door sills later. They're nifty. And then the springs & sway bar. One by one, over the next few months, or when I send my list to Santa this year.

 

[xBillTheCat]

Congrats!

So, first impressions:
How does it compare to the Mini "out of the box"/bone-stock?

That's a little hard to sum up, because my MINI didn't stay bone stock for long. But I can say this:

The ride is softer, smoother. Definitely nice for cruising. Seating position, while higher off the road deck, doesn't feel like an SUV, thank goodness. I had good visibility all around, with only a minor spot of blockage at the C pillars. Nothing that a thorough & peoper mirror check plus head swivel cannot overcome. (I do that anyway- paranoid about people in my blind spots)

Compared to the Cooper S (I never really drove a base Cooper) it lacks a little of the pep, especially in 5th gear (MINI has 6). But it is certainly not weak. The clutch/throttle is a little tricky/twitchy, but I am sure will adjust. Did not expect the clutch to engage so high up. Might ask the dealer to adjust it lower (if possible) before I take delivery.

Seating is a little less supportive, due to the miniscule side bolsters, but the overall seating position is fairly comfy. I think it would take longer on a long road trip for my arse to fall asleep.

Didn't really crank the stereo, but I did fiddle with the dials & such. It definitely has more wow/bling factor than the MINI unit.

Overall front passenger room is probably pretty close between the two, believe it or not. Due to its raised console around the shifter, the xB actually seems a bit more snug on the driver's side. But that may just be psychological. MINIs to have a LOT of front passenger room, though. My 6'11" friend Norm drives one, too.

Rear seat room, no contest. I have had 4 adults in my MINI, but only for short trips. I sat in the back seat of the xB, without scooting the driver's seat forward, and I had all kinds of room. Once again, I can be the guy that drives when I go out with friends!!!

Ditto for cargo. The MINI would surprise people once you folded the seats down, but it's simple physics- the xB is larger & has more uesable cargo space, hands down. I also like the little storage cubbies under the rear deck. I like to carry jumper cables, tire plugs, 12v compressor, etc. and that gives me a place to stow it all.

The xB doors feel a little thin/lightweight/less substantial compared to the MINI, but then I am comparing the longer doors of the 2-door car to the shorter doors of a 4-door.

I'm getting acid reflux from stressing about trading in my MINI, but I'm sure I'll get over it. Someday.

 

[xBillTheCat]

Congrats and welcome! Can I ask what drew you to the blackberry crush?

Hard to say. I don't care for silver/grey colors. And white was never my first choice for a car. (Although my Supra looked sweet in white) I guess I liked the darker colors on the xB, partially because once I add some dark window tint, it'll add to that odd "retro/future chop-top" look that drew me to the car in the first place.

I actually would have gone with Black, Blackberry Crush or the Teal. In this case, I told the salesman that I wanted to keep the stress over trading in my beloved MINI as minor as possible & told him to grab the first available car in the pipeline in one of those 3 colors, and the Crush was it. (I still have to wait 13 days, and I am fairly certain I will develop an unlcer between now & then)

One moronic thing I forgot to do was... locate the 12v power outlet(s) up front. I'm sure there's at least one, right? But where? HA! I have to figure out how to plug in all my toys, and I have a feeling I will be adding an outlet somewhere sooner or later.

 

[xBillTheCat]

Thanks! Much obliged!

 

[xBillTheCat]

There is an outlet on the bottom of the shifter box, near the floor, on the passenger side of the facing towards the cupholders.

And there is an awsome DIY on how to install one in the rear on these boards as well.

Ran across that, and was impressed. I think I'm going to try & add one either to the center console area, or on the driver's side of the dash. if I do, I'll try & remember to go slowly & take pics. (I get impatient)

 

[xBillTheCat]

Well, today is supposed to be the big day. But as recently as Saturday, my salesman wasn't able to confirm anything. It always amazes me that they can have trucks loaded with $100k or more in cars roaming the highways & not know which cars will be delivered when.

My local Tire Kingdom is supposed to get my new wheels & tires on Monday or Tuesday, and I'm lined up for window tint on Wednesday. After that, who knows?

 

[xBillTheCat]

Yeah, so the salesman failed to follow thru today. Well, at least not hw I asked him to. Short story is "maybe Tuesday."

Longer story is that I e-mailed him during work last night (I work 110-7a) & asked him to CALL ME to discuss delivery details. I re-emphasized that since I work nights, I need to nail down appointment times with wheel & window tint shops, etc. and asked that he call me without regard to my sleep habits. Instead, I got a one sentence e-mail response stating that "no trucks showed up today, so maybe tomorrow."

Man, the Mazdaspeed 3's sitting in the lot across the street are looking so tempting, I swear. I say that not because I am impatient, but because I hate this dealership & should not have gone to them in the first place. "Annoying" is actually one of their better qualities...

"Serenity now!!!"

 

[xBillTheCat]

And, today was not the day, either. This is NOT the way I envisioned my xB ownership experience starting.

 

[xBillTheCat]

Apparently not happening today. And apparently, Scion has the slowest car carrier trucks around. Salesman told me the car was shipped on a carrier today, but could arrive any time from now until Friday. The logic problem there is that the port is only 4 hours away by car. Maybe 5-6 by truck, with traffic.

 

[xBillTheCat]

And, this may be my last post here, since I took delivery of an '09 Mazdaspeed3 at around 9pm tonight.

Boy, is the Scion salesman gonna be pissed in the morning when he reads his e-mail.

Thanks to everyone here for answering all of my questions & being a supportive bunch. I do appreciate it. But now I need to go find me a MS3 forum to invade...